UP T20 League 2026: Lucknow Falcons eliminate Kanpur Superstars with 13-run DLS win
Synopsis
Lucknow Falcons needed nothing from this game — Kanpur Superstars needed everything. A rain-interrupted thriller at Green Park ended with Lucknow 13 runs ahead on DLS, Kanpur's playoff dreams washed out, and the Falcons heading into Qualifier 1 against Meerut Mavericks with momentum and a full-strength squad to return.
Key Takeaways
Lucknow Falcons beat Kanpur Superstars by 13 runs (DLS) in Match 28 of the UP T20 League 2026 at Green Park Stadium on 1 September .
Lucknow finish the league stage with 6 wins from 10 matches and 13 points , in second place on the table.
Openers Yashu Pradhan (40 off 27) and Himanshu Singh (43 off 33) shared a 72-run stand in 43 balls to anchor Lucknow's 160/5 .
Sameer Rizvi's dismissal at 47/4 effectively ended Kanpur's chase; rain returned with the Superstars on 68/4 , 13 short of the DLS par of 81 .
Navneet Kumar took 2/8 in 2 overs as Lucknow's standout bowler.
Lucknow face Meerut Mavericks in Qualifier 1 ; Kanpur Superstars are eliminated.
Lucknow Falcons sealed a 13-run victory over Kanpur Superstars via the DLS method in Match 28 of the UP T20 League 2026 at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur on 1 September, knocking the hosts out of the playoff race and confirming second place on the points table for the Falcons.
How Lucknow Sealed the Win
Kanpur skipper Adarsh Singh won the toss and chose to bowl in what was a must-win contest for his side. Openers Yashu Pradhan (40 off 27 balls) and Himanshu Singh (43 off 33) gave Lucknow a flying start, putting on 72 runs in 43 deliveries before rain halted play for around 30 minutes after the opening over — with no reduction in overs on resumption.
Kanpur clawed back through the middle overs, reducing Lucknow from 72/0 to 96/4, but Priyam Garg (32 not out off 21) and stand-in captain Vipraj Nigam (18 not out off 8) steadied the innings. Lucknow ultimately posted 160/5 from their 20 overs.
Kanpur's Chase Falls Short
Lucknow's bowlers struck early and often. Kanpur were reduced to 47/4 in 6.3 overs, with the dismissal of star Impact Player Sameer Rizvi proving particularly damaging. Satyam Sangu and Yashovardhan Singh added an unbeaten 22 runs to push Kanpur to 68/4 at the end of the 10th over when rain returned.
The DLS par score at that stage was 81, leaving Kanpur 13 runs short. Persistent rain prevented further play, handing Lucknow the match.
Bowling Standouts for the Falcons
Navneet Kumar was the pick of the Lucknow bowlers, returning figures of 2/8 from 2 overs. Krishn Kumar Saroj — a discovery from the UPCA Speed Hunt programme — and stand-in captain Vipraj also claimed a wicket each.
Playoff Picture and What Comes Next
With six wins from 10 matches, Lucknow finished the league stage on 13 points, securing second place. The Falcons had already booked their playoff berth and rested regular captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar and lead pacer Abhinandan Singh for this fixture, with Vipraj Nigam deputising as skipper. Lucknow now turn their attention to Qualifier 1 against Meerut Mavericks. For Kanpur Superstars, the defeat ends their campaign at the league stage, their playoff hopes extinguished by the rain and a clinical Falcons side.
Point of View
And Sameer Rizvi's early exit once again exposed how dependent the Superstars are on a single impact moment. The DLS finish flatters neither side, but Lucknow earned it — their bowlers had Kanpur in trouble long before the clouds returned.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Lucknow Falcons vs Kanpur Superstars in UP T20 League 2026 Match 28?
Lucknow Falcons won by 13 runs via the DLS method at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur on 1 September 2026. The match was interrupted twice by rain, with Kanpur finishing 13 runs short of the DLS par score of 81 when persistent rain ended play in the 10th over.
How did Lucknow Falcons perform in the UP T20 League 2026 league stage?
Lucknow Falcons finished second on the points table with six wins from ten matches and 13 points. They will now face Meerut Mavericks in Qualifier 1 of the knockout stage.
Are Kanpur Superstars out of the UP T20 League 2026 playoffs?
Yes, the defeat in Match 28 eliminated Kanpur Superstars from the playoff race. Their campaign ends at the league stage.
Who were the top performers for Lucknow Falcons against Kanpur?
Openers Yashu Pradhan (40 off 27) and Himanshu Singh (43 off 33) shared a 72-run stand to set up Lucknow's total of 160/5. With the ball, Navneet Kumar returned 2/8 from 2 overs, while Priyam Garg and stand-in captain Vipraj Nigam contributed crucial late runs.
Why did Lucknow Falcons rest Bhuvneshwar Kumar for this match?
Lucknow had already secured their place in the playoffs before Match 28, allowing them to rest regular captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar and lead pacer Abhinandan Singh. All-rounder Vipraj Nigam captained the side in their absence.
